"This morning (Saturday), in a joint IDF, ISA [Israel Securities Authority] and Israel Police (Yamam) complex, special, daytime operation in Nuseirat, four Israeli hostages were rescued. Noa Argamani (25), Almog Meir Jan (21), Andrey Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (40), were kidnapped by the Hamas terrorist organization from the 'Nova' music festival on October 7th," the Israeli army said in a statement.
The hostages were rescued by the Israeli forces in two separate locations in the center of Nuseirat in Gaza, the military authorities said.
"They are in good medical condition and have been transferred to the 'Sheba' Tel-HaShomer Medical Center for further medical examinations," the IDF said.
Israel has deployed hundreds of fighters from various services and units in the operation to free the hostages that has been under development for several weeks, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari told a briefing.
The spokesman specified that the hostages were found in two different buildings located in the center of the Nuseirat refugee camp and a densely populated residential area of the central Gaza Strip, adding that the Israeli military was supported by the air and navy forces.
Hagari noted that the IDF "will not lose sight that 120 hostages are still being held by Hamas in Gaza," and will do everything to bring them home.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel and breached the border, attacking both civilian neighborhoods and military bases. Nearly 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted during the attack. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Over 36,500 people have been killed so far by Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, according to local authorities. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza.